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Posted by Phillip Richards Mar 31, 2007 |
Today is the day to get out an make another batch of liquid manure. I make this just from green material. At present I am using an old wheelie-bin and I will fill this about 1/3rd full of greens leaves and grasses add water and let it bubble, froth and ferment for a months or so.
It is very unscientific but it works for me. I tested a batch once by spraying a defined square metre of lawn. Yes, this little patch was lushed and greener than the rest.
My secret is in variety. I go about the block picking a bit of this and a bit of that trying to collect the lushest, strongest, and deepest greens I can find.
I have a small patch of borage and include some leave of that plant otherwise it is a mix of grasses (clovers and paspalum) weeds (dock, nettles, dandelions), things I do not know the names of leaves and prunings.
A good sign is if rat-tailed maggots are in it after a month or so. When it has a good rich aroma (hence the maggots), ladle it out and use it as a tonic / pick-me-up for your plants.
Put a little in a bucket or watering can and add water to make it like a weak tea – avoid making it too strong. Don’t water onto plants you will soon harvest.
Do wear gloves the stuff will make your hands and arms smell and no amount of washing seems to clean them.
An excellent use for liquid manure is as an activator – stick it over you mulch or kick-start the compost heap. Magical